Overview
We are looking for a friendly, reliable and enthusiastic Cook to join our childcare setting, providing nutritious, balanced and child-friendly meals for children attending our nursery, after-school club and holiday club.
The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks that meet the dietary and nutritional needs of children of different ages. You will play an important role in creating enjoyable mealtimes while ensuring that all food is prepared and served safely and to a high standard. You will cater for children with allergies, intolerances and specific dietary needs and complete and maintain all required food safety paperwork and records.
The working hour for this role vary depending on the school term and school holidays.
During term time, you will be required to work 15 hours per week, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
During the school holidays, you will be required to work 35 hours per week, from 10:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
We are also pleased to offer free childcare for the duration of your schedules working hours, both during term time and school holidays.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks for children.
- Prepare meals suitable for different age groups and dietary requirements.
- Cater for children with allergies, intolerances and specific dietary needs.
- Maintain accurate records of ingredients, allergens and dietary requirements.
- Follow food hygiene, health and safety and allergen procedures at all times.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation within the kitchen.
- Ensure food is stored, prepared and served safely and at the correct temperatures in accordance with food hygiene regulations.
- Complete and maintain all required kitchen and food safety paperwork and records, including temperature checks, fridge/freezer checks, cleaning records and other relevant food safety documentation. Ensuring all documentation is kept up to date.
- Monitor and record food temperatures as required.
- Manage stock levels and complete a food order as and when needed.
- Check deliveries and food stock, ensuring ingredients are fresh, within date and stored correctly.
- Help create varied and appealing menus, including options suitable for nursery, after-school and holiday club children.
- Adapt menus and quantities depending on attendance levels.
- Work closely with the nursery and club team to ensure children’s individual dietary needs are met.
- Ensure the kitchen, equipment and food preparation areas are clean and hygienic.
- Promote healthy eating and support a positive and welcoming mealtime environment for the children.
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
- Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness training is required. This training can be provided for you.
- Experience of running a kitchen is required.
- Passionate about preparing healthy and nutritious food for children.
- Reliable, organised and able to work independently.
- Friendly and approachable, with a positive attitude.
- Able to manage their time effectively and work to deadlines.
- Confident preparing food for larger groups.
- Knowledgeable about food hygiene and allergen requirements.
- Comfortable working in a busy childcare environment.
- Able to follow safeguarding, health and safety and food hygiene procedures.
What We Offer
- A friendly and supportive working environment.
- The opportunity to make a positive difference to children’s daily experiences.
- A varied role working across nursery, after-school and holiday club provision.
- Free childcare for the duration of your scheduled working hours.
- The opportunity to contribute ideas to menus and develop healthy eating within the setting.
- The opportunity for further training in this role.
Pay: £13.54 per hour
Work Location: In person
